Doesn't Grace Make People Careless

But why cannot our good works be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of it?

Because the righteousness which can stand before the judgment of God must be absolutely perfect and wholly in conformity with the divine Law. But even our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin.

Will our good works merit nothing, even when it is God's purpose to reward them in this life, and in the future life as well?

This reward is not given because of merit, but out of grace.

But does not this teaching make people careless and sinful?

No, for it is impossible for those who are ingrafted into Christ by true faith not to bring forth the fruit of gratitude.

I. Good Works Which Aren't Perfect Don't Count as Good

A. Any variation disqualifies something from perfection. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Galatians 3:10)

B. God rejects the human tendency to adapt and excuse flaws in ourselves. Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen. (Deuteronomy 27:26)

C. Even the very best believers have to offer is still defective. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

II. God's Rewards Are Rooted in Grace, Not Obligation  

A. A believer's best behavior cannot get beyond ordinary obligations to God. So likewise ye, when ye shalt have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. (Luke 17: 10)

B. We have nothing to give God which did not first come from Him. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 0 LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. (1 Chronicles 29:14-16)

C. What imaginable thing could we give God to gain an advantage with Him? Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? (Job 22:2-3)

D. Observe the pattern in Paul's testimony. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (I Corinthians 15:9-10)

E. Learn to trust God rather than your best judgment. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. (Proverbs 16:2-3)

F. Accept the apostles' attitude. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Philippians 3:8-9)

III. True Faith Won't Be Careless

           A. The fundamental nature will show through life. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Matthew 7:16-17).

C. Those who actually belong to Christ are so bound to Him that He works out through them. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Heidelberg Catechism

Lord=s Day 024
Question 62, 63, 64
Dr. Edwin P. Elliott, Jr.

File: Lord=s Day 024